Berkeley Pre-College Scholars

Study at UC Berkeley this summer and get a head start on your academic plans. Learn from UC Berkeley faculty and experience university life alongside UC Berkeley students while getting to know the Bay Area and form lasting connections from around the country and the world.

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Pre-College Scholars offers four tracks: 

• Residential: The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential track offers international and domestic high school students the opportunity to live on campus and enjoy the summer at Berkeley while earning college credit. Students will take two courses offered through Berkeley Summer Sessions and have the option to participate in extracurricular activities, excursions, and an exploratory workshop series delivered by skilled admissions professionals.
• Computer Science Academy (non-credit track): The Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy is a rigorous two-week residential experience designed for motivated students between ages 16 and 17 who are interested in computer science (CS) or Artificial Intelligence (AI) and wish to gain an excellent understanding of college-level student life. This summer academy is designed for introductory CS students who have little to no previous coding experience. If you have advanced computer science experience we recommend you apply for either the residential or commuter program. Students will experience immersion in coding, powerful computer science concepts, collaborative programming, and problem-solving. The Academy is based on the world-renowned Beauty and Joy of Computing (BJC) curriculum—the introductory computer science course that Berkeley undergraduates take—and is developed by UC Berkeley Computer Science Teaching Professor Dan Garcia, with day-to-day instruction provided by UC Berkeley BJC veteran teachers.
• Commuter: For students within commuter distance to the campus, you can enjoy becoming involved with Berkeley campus-based courses, extracurricular activities, and college exploration workshops planned just for you. Take advantage of everything the campus has to offer while earning college credit and saving money by living at home. Find courses to meet and ignite your desire to learn. Whether you are looking to challenge yourself by taking courses beyond your high school offerings, exploring a possible college major, or trying classes in an area of special interest, you can find it all at Berkeley in the summer! Be prepared to learn from and with the best.
• Virtual: The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Summer Virtual track offers international and domestic high school students the opportunity to join an online community of scholars and pursue their academic goals at the world’s No. 1 public institution. Choose from flexible synchronous/asynchronous options and access hundreds of courses from the comfort of your home.

Residential:

• Domestic students: 
  • Have completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes and plan to continue their high school studies in the subsequent fall
  • Have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school coursework
  • Be 16 years of age by June 21, 2026
  • Live in on-campus housing provided by the program during the entire program duration
• International students: 
  • Have completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes and plan to continue their high school in the subsequent fall
  • Have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school coursework (or comparable qualitative evaluation)
  • Meet our minimum English language proficiency requirements, if applicable
  • Maintain your own health insurance coverage as outlined in our health insurance requirement*
  • Be 16 years of age by June 21, 2026
  • Require a visa**
  • Require residential housing

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Computer Science Academy (non credit track): 

• Have completed 10th or 11th grade by the start of the program and plan to continue their high school studies in the subsequent fall
• Have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school coursework
• Be 16 years of age by June 21, 2026
• Maintain their own health insurance coverage as outlined in our health insurance requirement*
• Live in on-campus housing provided by the program during the entire program duration
• International students must also meet our minimum English Language Requirements, if applicable

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Commuter: 

• Currently reside in the state of California
• Have completed 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes
• Have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school course work
• Must be 16 years of age on or before June 21, 2026
• Do not require residential housing and visa/I-20 support*

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Virtual: 

• Have completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes and plan to continue their high school studies in the subsequent fall
• Have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school coursework
• Be 16 years of age by June 21, 2026
• Must be in good academic standing in their home institutions
• International high school students must meet the Summer Sessions' English Language Requirements

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• Residential and Computer Science, March 9, 2026
• Commuter and Virtual: June 1, 2026

• Completed online application
• Personal insight questions: 
  • Think about a subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
  • The UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Program seeks to create an engaged and inclusive community that is welcoming to students from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for the Pre-College Scholars Program?
• Transcript

• The Pre-College Scholars program is offering one media scholarship (valued at $15,987) to cover tuition and room and board for one Session C residential track participant. This scholarship is open to all domestic, out-of-state, and international students from all educational systems and backgrounds. The winner will document their experience in the program under the supervision of program staff and the marketing team. See application for additional details.

• Applications open in February